Astronomers call these "intruders" ultraluminous X-rays
Now, astronomers have made new observations using NASA's NuSTAR array of nuclear spectroscopic telescopes, which seesThe data confirmed that one particular ULX — M82 X-2 — is definitely too bright for its size.According to previous theories, extreme brightness may be a kind of optical illusion.However, new observations have shown that this is not the case – the M82 X-2 actually somehow throwschallenge to the Eddington limit.
Previously, astronomers believed that ULX could beblack holes, but M82 X-2 is a neutron star. A new study has shown that this ULX absorbs a lot of matter every year (more than on our entire planet) from a neighboring star. When this amount of it hits the surface of a neutron star, it is enough to create the extreme brightness that astronomers have observed.
The research team believes thatproves on M82 X-2 some processes must occur that violate the Eddington constraint. Astrophysicists believe that a neutron star's strong magnetic field changes the shape of its atoms, allowing the star to remain stable even as it gets brighter and brighter.
The results of the study were published in The Astrophysical Journal.
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On the cover: an illustration of a neutron star
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech